Form for concrete work



BRUCE FORM FOR CONCRETE WORK July 13 1926.

July 13 1926. 1,592,974 L. i. BRUCE FORM FOR CONCRETE WGRK Filed April 22, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented .uly 13, 1926.

UNITE@ STATES LEO I. BRUCE, OF HCLLESTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FORM EGR CONCRETE WORK.

Application led April 22, i924.

rlhis invention relates to forms for concrete work.

Heretofore in the construction of forms for concrete work these were ina'de of wood, the contact surface for the concrete being made up of planks nailed or otherwise secured together in sufficient number to form a contact surface of the exact size and shape of the concrete slab or panel to be formed. These wooden forms are usually made up in sections of exact size and then placed in position as a whole.

rThe present invention has for its object among other things to provide a contact surface which can be used over and over and be readily and quickly applied where it is to be used withoutpreliminary cutting or litting, or handling and rehandling a large number of varying' sizes, and which is of such a nature that it can be fitted to spaces of any size or shape, as distinguished from the known wooden contact surfaces which were built in advance each to nt the special space where it was to be used. @ther objects of the invention will appear from the following description.

rEhe invention and it-s aims and objects will be readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention herein shown and described for illustrative purposes, the scope of the invention being more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is. a plan view of a form and more particularly of a contact surface embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the construction shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View of a detail of the construction shown in Fig. Q;

Fig. l is a top plan view of a detail of the contact surface shown in Fig. 2, illustrating its adaptability to spaces of irregular shape; and

Fig. 5 is a detail of one illustrative form of member or unit which may be used in accordance with my invention.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention the latter is shown in its application to a steel frame building, the I-beams bor dering a` slab space being indicated in lFig. l by the refe-rence numerals 2, 4, 6 and 8. In

Serial No. 708,185.

the case of a wholly concrete structure the -beams would be replaced by concrete beams.

As the various slab spaces in a building would all be substantially the same, except possibly as to size and shape, it will be suflicient for the understanding of the invention to describe the latter in its application to a slab space of regular shape or contour and to one of irregular shape and contour.

Referring more particularly to Figs. l and 2, the beam forms, which may be of any usual and well kn wn plank construction, are shown at lO-lO and l2--l2- rihe joists upon which the planks constituting the conactsurface rested heretofore are indicated at lll in Figs. l and 2. These in turn are supported by joists 16 extending at right angles thereto. rlhis joist structure il is usually used, but any other suitable supporting means for the contact surface may be used without departing from the spirit of my invention, and l do not limit my invention to any particular supporting means for the contact surface. It is usual to have the upper surfaces of the joists la at a level a little below the upper ends of the planks 10 of the beam forms, approximately the thickness of the planks forming` the contact surface. The beam forms will be supported in any suitable and customary manner.

lt is to bc understood that while l have herein described a forni structure, the particular forni of form structure used is not material and the forni structure and its sup porting means may be of any suit-able pe, my invention relating more particularly to the contact surface.

ln accordance with my invention l use a plurality of separate elements or members 18 to form the contact surface, in place of the wooden planks heretofore used. 'these elements are preferably not secured or istened together to forni the contact surface, as distinguished from the planks heretofore used which were fastened together to :torni the contact surface, the whole contact surface being then put in place as a whole in the space intended for it and to which it had been previously tit-ted.

My invention also comprises spacing' means to space the elements or units from their supporting means. My invention also comprises means to prevent displacement of away or notched at 21 (Fig. 5).

a unit after it has been placed in position. My invention also contemplates providing means for stitlening the relatively thin inaterial from which the units are made so that they will have suiicient strength to support the Wet concrete over the space between the supporting joists or other supporting means.

I may make my separate elements or members 18 of any suitable material and oi' any suitable shape. In the illustrativeembociment oit' my invention herein `shown and described I preferably make these elements or members oi' relatively thin sheet metal, say about Tlf in thickness, and of rectangular shape (see Fig. One marginal portion 2O Will preferably be bent over at substantial right angles to the ina-in body oi the element and this edoe provided with teeth or the "like,- The bent over edge constitutes one convenient iorm of spacing means and also one 'convenient -form of stitfeni'ng n'iea'ns, and the toothed edge 2O constitutes a convenient 'form ol means to prevent displacement of a unit, but it is to be understood that my invention is not to be considered as limited to the particular spacing means, stiti'ening means or displacement preventing means herein shown, as I may -use any suitable spacing means, stiiiening means 'and displacement preventing means Without departingfrom the spirit ot' my invention.

The mode or manner of using my invention Will be apparent from Figs. 1 and 2. As therein illustrated, the individual elements or units 18 are placed in overlapping relation. This may be done in any suitable arrangement according to the shape of the space to Which Vthe contact surface is to be applied. In the case of a square space, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, I have found it convenient to put, say the element 18 in place nrst, with one ot its long edges resting upon the upper edge 2O engaging the joists 14. The upper edge, viewing Fig. 1, Will rest upon the upper edge ot Yt'orm plank 10 of the form oit Athe beam 4,-. For this purpose the down-turned edge 20 is cut I then place another element, say 18, also with its longer flat edge resting upon the beam form 10 and its down-turned toothed edge engaging the joists 14, the upper edge oit said element 18, viewing Fig. 1, overlapping the lower edge of the element 18. I prog ceed in this manner until the line of elements thus applied reaches the beam form of the beam 8, Fig. 1, the tree end o1c the last element resting upon said torni, the down-turned edge 2O being notched', as above stated lfor this purpose.

I then start a second line of elements, preferably at the .topV of the space, viewing Fig. 1, applying this line of elements in the same manner as the first line which those of the second line overlap, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, I proceed in this manner unt-il the space to be iilled in, herein the space between the beams 2, 4, 6 and 8, has been filled in.

Herein each vertical line, viewing Fig. 1. comprises but two elements, but it will be apparent that any number can be used according to the space to be iilled in, the over lap of the individual elements varying' ac cording to requirements. The toothed edge 20, 'by its engagement with joists 141, nrevents inadvertent displacement or the elements after they have once been. placed in position.

Sometimes it is necessary to provide for the 'location ot' pipes which are to extend through the concrete, or, for the location of shaftinghangers, electrical outlets orthe like in the' concrete. In such case and in order to avoid damage to the elements 18 by perforating 'the latter or securingv any object thereto, I simply insert a plank ,or board at the desiredjpoint. then be inserted in the latter or the shaft* inghangers or other objects can be secured to the plank in the desiredlocation. rihe elements are then built up to and around the plank in the same manner as already l described. In Figs. 1 and L, for example, I have illustrated a plank 22 inserted Ator this purpose. From these iigures it Will be seen thatr adjacent one side vof said plank the down-turned toothed edge ot the element or elements abut the edge ot' the plank, While upon the opposite side the edge ot' the adjacentI element or elements rests upon the plank. I preferably make the 'depth of the down-turned edge 2O of the elements substantially equal to the thickness of the planks ordinarily used so that the entire contact surface including 'the plank will be substantially level or in substantially the same plane.

rIhe elements, according to my invention, are cap-able otgreat flexibility in their arrangement in the Jformation of contact Asurfaces otany shape. In Fig. 3, -for example, I have shown that adaptation to a situation Where a column or opening is to be built round. In such case if the opening or column is quadrangular it can be built up to and around in the manner above described in the case of an insert. It the column or opening is circular or has more than lour sides a Wooden orpother insertis used having an opening ot the desired shape and the elements are built up to and around said insert.V This insert may bein one Ypiece or sectional; in Fig. 3 such a sectional insert providii'igfor a circular opening is illustrated by Way of exampleat 2G.

In 4 the adavpt-ationq'of my .invention to a surface having corners other than The pipes can L1 IUS ninety degrees is illustrated, the elements being simply lapped in a diagonal manner to meet the situation.

By varying the overlap ot' the ini'lividual ele lents the requirements due to variation in load may be met, the down-turned edges 2O ot adjacent elements being placed closer together in proportion as the load incrcasef.

ln the illustrative en'ibodiment ot' the invention shown it has been illustrated it application to Afloor slab forms, but it vil be apparent that the invention is equally applicable to Wall Jforms, root1 slab forms, piers or other cases with a 'fairly large contact area. In the case oil a vertical or steeppitched surface it may be necessary to secure the elements in place. rlhis may be done in any suitable manner and by any suitable means. is one convenient n'ieans for this purpose l have shown in perlorations 2st through Which nails, vire r other suitable means may be inserted to secure the elements to the joists or other supporting means,

Means are thus also provided 'lor holding the overlapping edG'e oi a unit in contact with the unit or other member overlapped thereby. This prevents nails or other articles from getting under the overlapping edge of a unit alter 'the units have been placed in position and bet'ore the concrete is poured, whereby the concrete surface would be marret. lt also prevents the poured concrete from genetrating under said overlapping edge.

My invention is applicable to curved surfaces as Well as to plane surfaces, providing' the radius ol curvature be not too small. The elements or units 18 may be of any suitable size and elements of unequal size may be used in one and the same section, indiscriminately, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

lt will be observed that in accordance with my invention the units are adapted to overlap in any direction or arrangement relatively to each other and to any e2; ent, or as may be required to lill in the space no matter What its shape, the result being,` a substantially smooth Contact surtace.

lt will be apparent that it is not indispensable that all of the features ot the invention be used conjointly since they may be used to advantage separately in Ivario bit-.ations and sub-combinations. lt vfill also be understood that While the invention is hereindesoribed as embodied in the details illustrated, the invention is not to be considered as circumscribed by or limited to these details, or any ot them, but that the said details may be variously modified Within the true scope of the invention which is definitely set forth by the claims.

Claims:

l. ln a form :tor concrete Work, a contact con'iprisingv a pluralitv g sheet metal units s ,y

lar shape having one too" ='-il ginal portion angularlj,v disposed l the unit body, and having a cutaway poi-tion at each end.

9., la torni for concrete work.rv a contact surface comprising a plura ity oll overlappingl sheet metal units ol" substantially rectangular, oblong' shape, having one or its longer marginal portions toothed and anfralarly positioned relative to the unit body provided with a cutaway portion at end.

3. ln a 'form tor cinicrcte .vorlr, in conn bination a support and a substantially plano contact surface comprising; a plurality o' units of sheet material adapted to over-hip and having' a marginal portion 21" Y 'disposed relative to the unit body ai ingion the upper surface or' said support, and means to hold the overltipping` edge ot unit tightly against the unit overlapped thereby.

il. ln a form lor concrete -work, in coinbination, a support anda substantially plane contact surface comprising' a plurality of units of sheet metal adapted' to overlap and having a marginal portion angularly dis-l posed relative to the unit body and restino' on the upper surface of sait. support, perl torations in the unit body, and fastening means passing;` through said pertcrations and engaging` said support to hold the overlapping edge of a unit in contact with the unit overlapped thereby.

5. ln a form for concrete Work, a contact surface comprising a plurality of overlapping' unit-s of sheet material, having one toothed marginal portion angularly c isposed relative to the unit body.

6. In a 'form for concrete vvorlr, a contact surface comprisinga plurality or overlappingl units oi sheet metal, having one toothed marginal portion positioned at au angle to tbe unit body.

7. ln a lorm tor concrete Work, a contactsur'l'ace comprisinga plurality oli units of sheet i aterial, havinga toothed marginal portion angularly disposed relative lo the unit body.

S. ln a form for concrete Work, a contact surface comprisinga plurality o? units of sheet metal, having a toothed marginal portion positioned at an angle to the unit body.

9. A metal concrete form unit, having' a flat body, an angularly disposed stililening member provided with a cut-aivav end portion. and perforat-ions in said body 'for inserting' fastening' devices.

lO. A torni for concrete Work con'iprising, in combination, a plurality ot' metal units having a. flat body, a support for said units, an angularly disposed stitleningmember on said units provided with a cut-away end portion, and perforations in said unit bodies for inserting iastening means to secure said units to said support.

11. 1n a 'form for concrete work, a oontact surface Comprising a plurality of overlapping sheet metal units of substantially rectangular' shape having one marginal portion angularly disposed relative to the nnit body, and having a cutaway portion at each end, the portion angularly disposed to the unit body being toothed, and said unit body being provided with pertorations.

12. ln a form for concrete work, a Contact surface Comprising a piuraiity ot overlapping sheet metal units havingl one toothed marginal portion angularly disposed relative to the unit body, and having a cutaway portion at each end.

18. In a form for concrete work, a Contact surface comprising a plurality of overlapping units oi sheet material, having one toothed marginal portion angularly disposed relative to the unit body, the main body having perforations for inserting nails, wire or other fastening devices.

111. A metal concrete form unit, having one marginal portion angularly disposed relative to the. unitbody, the portion angularly disposed to the unit body being toothed.

15. A metal concrete form unit or" substantially rectangular shape, having one marginal portion angularly disposed relative to the unit body, the poi-tion angnlarly disposed to the unit body having a portion eut away at the ends.

16. A metal concrete form unit, having one marginal portion angular-ly disposed relative to the unit body, the portion angularly disposed to the unit body havinga portion eut away at the. ends, the main'body having perorations 'for inserting nails, wire or other fastening devices.

In testimony whereof, 1 have signed my name to this specification.

LEO I. BRUCE. 

